Tinderry Nature Reserve VKFF-2003

Tinderry Nature Reserve is a large park located East of the small village of Michelago, South of Canberra. If you drive the Monaro Hwy between Canberra and Cooma it is very obvious, the Tinderry ranges are high and contain 3 SOTA summits, the highest Tinderry Peak at 1600m. Quite often the range is capped by snow in the winter. Turned off the Monaro Hwy to Michelago, then followed Burra Rd, until reaching Mount Allen Fire Trail. A sign here advising a locked gate 300m ahead, the park boundary. Drove up part of this as quite steep and rocky, parking just past the first hump. The road ahead looked beyond the capabilities of my Xtrail, a proper 4WD needed. After a short walk reached the locked gate and park entry.

Set up the squid pole on the sign and sat the radio and myself on a nearby log. Dipole legs across the road and into the bush.

Operating spot, map from Google Maps

Radio on a nearby log, which served as a seat

Got on 40m. Found 7.144 in use by a park activator so set up on 7.140. Able to spot myself easily as good mobile coverage.

First contact a park to park with VK3BEL Ross in VKFF-0741 Lower Goulburn National Park

The band was quite good with strong signals from both near and far stations. Worked VK2IO, VK3MET, VK3PF, VK2PKT, VK2PEZ, VK4NH, VK4DXA, VK2LX, VK2ACK, VK3GJG, VK4SMA, VK3ZPF.

Another park to park with VK4KC Marty in  VKFF-1643 Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park, along with VK4EMP Mark.

Went on to work VK4CZ, VK3SMW, VK5MAZ, VK3JW, VK2APC, VK2LP, VK2EMS, VK5PAS, VK2VH, VK4AAC/2.

Another park to park with VK4MUD John in VKFF-1195 Expedition National Park

Went on to work VK4HMI, VK4SYD and VK3ZK. 

During the activation was attacked by mosquitoes, really quite bad here. Rather surprised as high up on a rocky hill with no creek, guess just from all the rain recently.

Also while operating 4 motorbikes went past. They looked a bit nervous seeing me, the park sign shows no motorbikes allowed, authorised vehicles only...

Had enough of the mosquitos, packed up and headed home to Canberra.